It's 6 Miles from Bangor to Donaghadee and it's a Long way to Tipperary, though I suppose it depends where you're going from, two songs that are up there with Is This the Way to Amarillo? as some of the best known travelling airs. However to suggest that “Didn't we have a Lovely Day, the Day we went to Bangor” as Simon McGrattan's favourite would be perhaps be tempting fate judging by his experiences at the weekend.
Having left Downpatrick around mid-morning on Saturday for the Athletics Running Track at Ballykillaire outside Bangor for Round 2 of the Young Athletes League he eventually arrived almost 2 hours later having visited every road, street and avenue in the town, exhausted the patience of the NASA space satellite crew with his cries of “where am I” and tested his fellow coaches knowledge of the geography of Bangor to breaking point by calling regularly to ask “Are we nearly there yet”? The fact that his passengers were the first to ever suffer jet lag following a 40 mile journey is perhaps indicative of his travails.
To the races, throws and jumps themselves there were big performances from Paddy Erskine in the 1500 metres, following an inspiring Long Jump series almost before he had his trainers tied on, Owen Edwards and Tim Prenter in the Under 13 Boys 1500 metres and Ewan Findlay who had to endure the 8 lap 3000 metres race which was the curtain raiser to the delayed start programme. Marc Breteche tripled up in in the Under 15 Boys category, competing in the 100 and 200 metres and Long Jump while Ethan Braniff also had a treble booking competing in 200 metres, Javelin and Shot Putt where he took a very encouraging 2nd place.
Dillon Morgan also competed manfully in the High Jump and Javelin before missing out on his 1500 metres race a fate which also befell Laura Gardiner who also took part in the 200 metres and Long Jump events. The only other boy competing was Matthew McGrattan who manfully survived the Tour of Co.Down and grabbed some points in the Under 13 100 metres and Long Jump.
Laura Green fresh from her 2nd place in the year 8 Girls Hill and Dale race on Thursday night battled well in the Under 13 Girls 1200 metres just ahead of Aoife Cochrane. Eimear Connor looked impressive in the Under 15 Girls 100 metres and also doubled up in the Long Jump. Tara Findlay did make it to the start line for the Under 15 Girls 1500 metres and acquitted herself well in the heat and wind.
Of course the overall performance record was not helped by the Club officials who failed to get two of the athletes to their respective start lines on time, an error not helped by a PA system which sounded like Norman Collier with a faulty microphone and which could only be heard inside the boundary fencing where only competing athletes are permitted!
But nevertheless creditable performances by all concerned. On a day when the temperatures soared to Riviera heights taking part was sufficient to warrant respect and admiration from all.
Brendan Teer competed in the Senior 1500 metres, finishing a credible 3rd. Neil McCartan also took part in this race in a welcome return to the track but with an oppressive heat down the back straight and a very strong headwind in the home straight personal bests were always going to be remote possibilities.
HILL and DALE MONUMENT RACE
On Thursay night in Tollymore, in addition to those mentioned, Daniel Atkinson took 2nd place in the Year 8 Boys race, Natasha savage 3rd in the P5 Girls with Mary-Jo Tumelty and Padraig Rogan showing their respective Dads how to do things in the Senior event just after.
Martin Willcox continues to improve taking 19th place overall and claiming the 1st Vet 40 prize with Barrie Atkinson not far behind in 39th. Gavin Oakes 77 and Francis Tumelty 81st completed the East Down team scorers. John and Wendy Findlay, Brian Wilson, Brian Hamilton, Michael Degan Daryll Madine and Paul Rogan completed an impressive turnout for the County town based club and it's hoped that this sort of representation will carry over into next Winter's Cross Country League competition.
NEW ROUTE FOR LOUGHINISLAND RACE
The next East Down promoted event locally is the Loughinisland 5.05 Miles Road Race on Wednesday 27 June at 7.30pm and with a new flatter, faster course on offer it is hoped that record numbers will turn out to sample the going. All entries will be taken on the night in the GAC's impressive clubrooms and with refreshments on offer afterwards it's one not to miss.
Joe Quinn
28 May 2012
